The hardware is still a generation behind Sony and Microsoft. The games look good and are adequate for Nintendo games but it's still quite underwhelming.

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So? Nintendo wanted a console that was still affordable, they don't want a console focused on raw power. Nintendo consoles are designed around Nintendo games, deal with it. That doesn't mean it's going to lose. Consoles are always inferior to PCs, so....

The hardware is still a generation behind Sony and Microsoft. The games look good and are adequate for Nintendo games but it's still quite underwhelming.

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So? Nintendo wanted a console that was still affordable, they don't want a console focused on raw power. Nintendo consoles are designed around Nintendo games, deal with it. That doesn't mean it's going to lose. Consoles are always inferior to PCs, so....

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If they really were worried about affordability, they wouldn't have designed a gamepad controller that most people still question why it exists.

Nintendo did a good job making a system that works well for their franchises. Where they failed was in making a system that would attract third parties and convince gamers who want to buy third party games that this was the system to get. There's no reason for a person who owns a PS360 already to purchase a Wii U if they want to play something like Call of Duty. And there is no reason a person wanting to buy a new system to play a game like Watch Dogs would buy a Wii U over a PS4.

The hardware is still a generation behind Sony and Microsoft. The games look good and are adequate for Nintendo games but it's still quite underwhelming.

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So? Nintendo wanted a console that was still affordable, they don't want a console focused on raw power. Nintendo consoles are designed around Nintendo games, deal with it. That doesn't mean it's going to lose. Consoles are always inferior to PCs, so....

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If they really were worried about affordability, they wouldn't have designed a gamepad controller that most people still question why it exists.

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Oy vey. That's the whole reason to make the console unique, if there was no game pad, it would be like every other console, they wanted to be unique, which according to many, is apparently a crime. The same could be asked of Xbox One, why couldn't there be a version without the Kinect 2.0 or a Playstation without a Dual Shock controller? Who the hell cares that it's not as powerful as the godlike PS4 or XB1 so long as the games are enjoyed by many?

Remember when people played games to be enjoyed and not nitpick about hardware? That's okay, I don't either.

Nintendo did a good job making a system that works well for their franchises. Where they failed was in making a system that would attract third parties and convince gamers who want to buy third party games that this was the system to get. There's no reason for a person who owns a PS360 already to purchase a Wii U if they want to play something like Call of Duty. And there is no reason a person wanting to buy a new system to play a game like Watch Dogs would buy a Wii U over a PS4.

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Need For Speed Most Wanted on the Wii U was the best console port, so....

So? Nintendo wanted a console that was still affordable, they don't want a console focused on raw power. Nintendo consoles are designed around Nintendo games, deal with it. That doesn't mean it's going to lose. Consoles are always inferior to PCs, so....

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If they really were worried about affordability, they wouldn't have designed a gamepad controller that most people still question why it exists.

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Oy vey. That's the whole reason to make the console unique, if there was no game pad, it would be like every other console, they wanted to be unique, which according to many, is apparently a crime. The same could be asked of Xbox One, why couldn't there be a version without the Kinect 2.0 or a Playstation without a Dual Shock controller? Who the hell cares that it's not as powerful as the godlike PS4 or XB1 so long as the games are enjoyed by many?

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I'm not saying I don't like the gamepad. I'm just saying Nintendo hasn't done anything with it's software to warrant it's existence. Nintendo needs to keep up with the standards of the industry because they are being passed by right now. You guys complain about third party support all the time but it's never Nintendo's fault.

I never had any doubts Nintendo games would eventually look great on Wii U. I've always said the Wii U's power is nearly perfect for Nintendo games, given their usual scope and cartoony/semi-realistic graphics. In that context (and also as part of Nintendo's larger business strategy), I think the Wii U is powered just fine for the kind of console it is. If I bought a Wii U for Witcher 3 or FF15, then I'd be disappointed, but I did not (and neither did most people), so I'm satisfied with the hardware side.

In terms of hardware use, X is a beautiful game as well. In fact I can see that Bayonetta 2, X & (I suspect) the tentatively entitled Zelda Warriors, look set to be genre definitives and I can only imagine what the next LoZ is going to be like.

Nintendo's assets seem to translate very well into HD, which only leads me to believe that however old, they were originally done in a very high quality - theres literally so much to choose from as a base, it can't have been easy; and in the industry in general, on both points.

Regardless of the fact we can all be held awe of our nostalgia on some level, strangely theres no denying that theres a really strong case for remakes and revised games. A HD port of one of my favourite games of all time P.N.03 revised, would be a very welcome thing. Sega are fully cheering about the VC but will they take the easy route or the impressive one?

To me it seems like Gen 6 was where HD rendering did its most impressive stuff and Gen 7 where it was ar irs most prolific. I personally muse that most Gen 6 games revised within cost boundries could shkeup this indystry and none of us would be unhappy about it.

I know 3D World and Tropical Freeze are running at 720p but from what I've heard Mario Kart 8 will be running natively at 1080p. Plus there's Bayonetta 2 on the way and hopefully X.

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As if the difference is that big or detrimental. People should enjoy the games and not nitpick 720/1080, just sayin.

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I was just pointing out the fact that the Wii U seems to be having a better time pumping out quality games that run at high resolution and framerates. Nintendo knows the constraints of their system which is why many of them look just as good as any other next gen title. With the PS4 and Xbone though, the developers are too focussed on making the game look amazing and thus sacrificing how well the game runs. So sometimes they struggle to reach 1080p or even 60fps which should be the standard by now.

Over all I'm quite happy with the power of the Wii U. The only thing that gets me down on the subject is reading these boards, and all the nitpicking about hardware spec's, frame rates, resolution etc. Every little detail that people just love to complain about.

Over all I'm quite happy with the power of the Wii U. The only thing that gets me down on the subject is reading these boards, and all the nitpicking about hardware spec's, frame rates, resolution etc. Every little detail that people just love to complain about.

A Wii U game can look stunning if the developer aims to stun. Nevertheless, when I consider some 3rd party projects are skipping Wii U as a direct result of the machine's processing muscle, combined with the meager efforts of most developers (INCLUDING NINTENDO) who are making games for the system but aren't pushing creative boundaries with Gamepad usage, I am not pleased with the system's processing muscle. If even the very FEW who are developing relevant games for the system were pushing to do OUTSTANDING things with the Gamepad, I'd be happy. Right now the bad taste in my mouth is money spent on a significantly weaker system in favor of a great idea that is severely underutilized.

A Wii U game can look stunning if the developer aims to stun. Nevertheless, when I consider some 3rd party projects are skipping Wii U as a direct result of the machine's processing muscle, combined with the meager efforts of most developers (INCLUDING NINTENDO) who are making games for the system but aren't pushing creative boundaries with Gamepad usage, I am not pleased with the system's processing muscle. If even the very FEW who are developing relevant games for the system were pushing to do OUTSTANDING things with the Gamepad, I'd be happy. Right now the bad taste in my mouth is money spent on a significantly weaker system in favor of a great idea that is severely underutilized.

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Sucks you feel that way... but I see your point. The Gamepad when it's used is a brilliant idea, off TV play, no splitscreen in COD, maps, no HUD whatsoever in AC4, Batman's Gadgets, near PC controls in Mass Effect.... and then Nintendo abandons it. WTF?

They abandon nearly everything every generation, this time they just didn't wait until the hardware cycle was over. We had Wii remotes, now they're mostly gone. The successor to the 3DS won't have 3D and it may not even have two screens. Most companies iterate, but with Nintendo it's double edged sword is innovation. They bring us new standards like the analog control, rumble, motion, 3d visuals, and then it's almost like they hand it off to someone to make it better while they come up with their next new idea.

Honestly if the touchpad on the PS4 was a little screen, it would be my go to games machine. They would've totally sabotaged Nintendo and it'd make the current climate look like unbridled success. I think there's so much potential there, and they've also proven the machine is powerful enough to do a lot with the gamepad and not take away from the visuals on screen.

It's exactly what I thought it was, a marginally improved PS360. And that's fine, but people should pretending it's something it's not. MK8 looks pretty from an art standpoint, but graphically it looks about the same as Sonic Racing Transformed (which, again, is fine).

Part of the equation is what the PS4 and X1 will eventually be. They haven't made the leap yet. I am satisfied now just like I was satisfied when Corruption and Galaxy dropped, but that was before Uncharted 2 existed.

The hardware is still a generation behind Sony and Microsoft. The games look good and are adequate for Nintendo games but it's still quite underwhelming.

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So? Nintendo wanted a console that was still affordable, they don't want a console focused on raw power. Nintendo consoles are designed around Nintendo games, deal with it. That doesn't mean it's going to lose. Consoles are always inferior to PCs, so....

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LOL like the other console were designed around raw power. They are deigned bang for buck thats about it otherwise they could handle cross gen games with ease.

The hardware is still a generation behind Sony and Microsoft. The games look good and are adequate for Nintendo games but it's still quite underwhelming.

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So? Nintendo wanted a console that was still affordable, they don't want a console focused on raw power. Nintendo consoles are designed around Nintendo games, deal with it. That doesn't mean it's going to lose. Consoles are always inferior to PCs, so....

So? Nintendo wanted a console that was still affordable, they don't want a console focused on raw power. Nintendo consoles are designed around Nintendo games, deal with it. That doesn't mean it's going to lose. Consoles are always inferior to PCs, so....

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LOL like the other console were designed around raw power.

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I think you just proved my point, consoles are still inferior to PCs.

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well sort of but I meant the ps3 was a beast when it came to launch consoles.

For me it's not even about comparing other consoles, cause I like all games. Nintendo is where I get my variety, my color, and my warm heartedness. I'm a very outgoing explorative person, I like to keep my options open in many areas of life. Think of it this way, I'd love to go to the Carolinas and experience the BBQ, culture and music. At the same time I fancy a trip to Jamaica for many of the same reasons. It all has it's place, and unfortunately for gaming right now there's way more chances to play an FPS or a "me too" M rated game. I enjoy those, but Nintendo is the only place for colorful dream like art direction. That's something I appreciate and worry that it might one day vanish along with my opportunity to play such games.

The Wii U is the most gorgeous example of this yet and I can't wait to see what they have in store.

can we also talk about the Wii U's graphical capabilities coupled with it's power draw? that's honestly what impresses me the most. 33w of sheer wizardry. it's the little green console that could. the PS4 and Xbox One both draw over 100w for comparison.

I can't say I agree with this. So far with my wiiu the online seems just fine. In contrast on 360 xblive has been pissing me off when it comes to party chat.. I mean its not even passable for me anymore and ironic considering that only months back it seemed just fine now It just sucks and as well with random lags and some days it just doesn't want to connect but my wiiu laptop and phone dont have this problem... maybe you haven't even used the wiiu internet?

The hardware is still a generation behind Sony and Microsoft. The games look good and are adequate for Nintendo games but still quite underwhelming.

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I feel like that comment is unwarranted. Is the wiiu behind? Yes. Is it a GENERATION behind yeah no. You want to be technical... in a world of 3ghz fully multi threaded processors and max efficiency GPUs and slu bridges for multiple GPUs the x1 and ps4 are like mid range for this gen and wiiu is on that bare minimum for having dx11 fx and faster memory bandwidth and extended Edram necessary for frame buffers. I mean even the CPU is well versed for a better ai system but wiiu a GENERATION behind... yeah no.

I know 3D World and Tropical Freeze are running at 720p but from what I've heard Mario Kart 8 will be running natively at 1080p. Plus there's Bayonetta 2 on the way and hopefully X.

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As if the difference is that big or detrimental. People should enjoy the games and not nitpick 720/1080, just sayin.

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It is if you have a 50+ inch TV, or have gamed on PC.

Your eyes grow to notice these kinds of things the more you are exposed to them.

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Nope, I never gamed on a PC, despite having a custom built PC for gaming, I use it exclusively to watch YouTube and Netflix. Steam and all the games I downloaded? They're just there for kicks. And that dedicated GPU and quad core Core i5 CPU? Also for show.

The hardware is still a generation behind Sony and Microsoft. The games look good and are adequate for Nintendo games but still quite underwhelming.

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I feel like that comment is unwarranted. Is the wiiu behind? Yes. Is it a GENERATION behind yeah no. You want to be technical... in a world of 3ghz fully multi threaded processors and max efficiency GPUs and slu bridges for multiple GPUs the x1 and ps4 are like mid range for this gen and wiiu is on that bare minimum for having dx11 fx and faster memory bandwidth and extended Edram necessary for frame buffers. I mean even the CPU is well versed for a better ai system but wiiu a GENERATION behind... yeah no.

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The specs are on par with last generation. It is therefore a generation behind.

I feel like that comment is unwarranted. Is the wiiu behind? Yes. Is it a GENERATION behind yeah no. You want to be technical... in a world of 3ghz fully multi threaded processors and max efficiency GPUs and slu bridges for multiple GPUs the x1 and ps4 are like mid range for this gen and wiiu is on that bare minimum for having dx11 fx and faster memory bandwidth and extended Edram necessary for frame buffers. I mean even the CPU is well versed for a better ai system but wiiu a GENERATION behind... yeah no.

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The specs are on par with last generation. It is therefore a generation behind.

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But it's not a seventh generation console; generations are measurement or interval of time, not a classification hardware, genius. By that logic, the PS2 would have been fifth gen as it was the weakest of the sixth-gen consoles.

The specs are on par with last generation. It is therefore a generation behind.

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But it's not a seventh generation console; generations are measurement or interval of time, not a classification hardware, genius. By that logic, the PS2 would have been fifth gen as it was the weakest of the sixth-gen consoles.

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Or the Genesis... or the Jaguar should be on competition with N64

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Exactly. Generations are related to time, not hardware, as much as these hardware whores would love to think. The Wii U is an eighth-gen console. Deal with it, people.

The hardware is still a generation behind Sony and Microsoft. The games look good and are adequate for Nintendo games but still quite underwhelming.

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I feel like that comment is unwarranted. Is the wiiu behind? Yes. Is it a GENERATION behind yeah no. You want to be technical... in a world of 3ghz fully multi threaded processors and max efficiency GPUs and slu bridges for multiple GPUs the x1 and ps4 are like mid range for this gen and wiiu is on that bare minimum for having dx11 fx and faster memory bandwidth and extended Edram necessary for frame buffers. I mean even the CPU is well versed for a better ai system but wiiu a GENERATION behind... yeah no.

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The specs are on par with last generation. It is therefore a generation behind.

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Show me where the 360 has 2gb let alone 1gb of ram where in 1gb is used all for games and not like 300mb still available after running xblive and what not before getting to the game. Show me where ps3 has an advanced pipeline with 3 interlaced cores and 3.5mb of cache space not the 1mb cache available over its single core. Show me where either of them have a fully versed dx11 api and anywhere from 500 to 800 GFLOPS processing and gpgpu functions in their GPU. Max 360 has 90+GFLOPS and the overblown "1.8 tflop" ps3 barely topping at 120 GFLOPS. I think you have either some misinformation.. maybe bias or possibly both. I would hope and assume the former.

Power? What power? As in as powerful as a PS360? Sure, not much more than that. There isn't anything on Wii U to show it's more powerful than last gen consoles.

Been playing Infamous Second Son and it shows already how far ahead PS4 is from Wii U hardware...and it's only the beginning of Xbone/PS4's life. Expect this fall to show an even bigger gap to last gen/Wii U hardware.

Wii U is a great console for what it is. But not more than that and doesn't come close to what I've been seeing on PS4. You should see NBA2K14 in all it's next gen glory. Also check out MLB The Show 14 and you'll see where the Wii U falls flat. With that said, the Wii U is powerful enough to give me exactly what I want from a Nintendo console, so I'm fine with that. More power would have been nice, but no use in crying over spilled milk.

Power? What power? As in as powerful as a PS360? Sure, not much more than that. There isn't anything on Wii U to show it's more powerful than last gen consoles.

Been playing Infamous Second Son and it shows already how far ahead PS4 is from Wii U hardware...and it's only the beginning of Xbone/PS4's life. Expect this fall to show an even bigger gap to last gen/Wii U hardware.

Wii U is a great console for what it is. But not more than that and doesn't come close to what I've been seeing on PS4. You should see NBA2K14 in all it's next gen glory. Also check out MLB The Show 14 and you'll see where the Wii U falls flat. With that said, the Wii U is powerful enough to give me exactly what I want from a Nintendo console, so I'm fine with that. More power would have been nice, but no use in crying over spilled milk.

I look at the WiiU's power being good enough. The games look great and their fun, with fun being the more important to me personally. I think a problem with this day and age is that most everyone looks at something being bigger is better, which isn't always the case.

For an example I'll use HDTVs. Sure a 1080p 120mhz TV is bigger in specs than say a 1080p 80mhz one. But is it really better when a majority of what you'd watch on it has that stupid "soap opera" effect? In such a situation was the bigger whatever really necessary or needed, outside bragging rights to having the more powerful TV?

Which brings up another situation regarding bigger is better, bragging rights. The whole illusion of keeping up with the Jones or whatever you want to call it. The whole, "yea you got a WiiU? Well I got a PS4 and it's more powerful." jive is just immature and outright ridiculous.

Whatever happened to enjoying what you got for what it is and not lamenting it for what it's not? I choose to enjoy the WiiU for what it is and what it offers. Too bad other gamers are to wound up on bigger is better to honestly enjoy the system for what it is and what it offers.

Power? What power? As in as powerful as a PS360? Sure, not much more than that. There isn't anything on Wii U to show it's more powerful than last gen consoles.

Been playing Infamous Second Son and it shows already how far ahead PS4 is from Wii U hardware...and it's only the beginning of Xbone/PS4's life.

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And yet, it runs at 30fps. That's my main problem with the PS4 and Xbone. They're trying so hard to be PC's but the power just isn't there yet. 60fps should be the standard by now. I'm not saying that these consoles aren't powerful in their own way but I'm not convinced that this is what we should be expecting from next-gen. Developers should be concentrating on nailing a smooth performance rather than pushing the graphical limitations.

Power? What power? As in as powerful as a PS360? Sure, not much more than that. There isn't anything on Wii U to show it's more powerful than last gen consoles.

Been playing Infamous Second Son and it shows already how far ahead PS4 is from Wii U hardware...and it's only the beginning of Xbone/PS4's life.

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And yet, it runs at 30fps. That's my main problem with the PS4 and Xbone. They're trying so hard to be PC's but the power just isn't there yet. 60fps should be the standard by now. I'm not saying that these consoles aren't powerful in their own way but I'm not convinced that this is what we should be expecting from next-gen. Developers should be concentrating on nailing a smooth performance rather than pushing the graphical limitations.

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Actually, it's 30 fps most of the time. It goes higher in many cases, but never lower. The game is very smooth. Graphically though it's a beast. Best looking game so far by miles.

Power? What power? As in as powerful as a PS360? Sure, not much more than that. There isn't anything on Wii U to show it's more powerful than last gen consoles.

Been playing Infamous Second Son and it shows already how far ahead PS4 is from Wii U hardware...and it's only the beginning of Xbone/PS4's life.

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And yet, it runs at 30fps. That's my main problem with the PS4 and Xbone. They're trying so hard to be PC's but the power just isn't there yet. 60fps should be the standard by now. I'm not saying that these consoles aren't powerful in their own way but I'm not convinced that this is what we should be expecting from next-gen. Developers should be concentrating on nailing a smooth performance rather than pushing the graphical limitations.

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I've beaten it once already, that's why I compared InFamous in the OP. It does a good job representing realism without too much uncanny valley, but there's been rainbows, vistas, bouncing African trees, and puppetted giraffe heads along with the juice that blew me away. All that power looks like it's hitting the wall of diminishing returns, I'm just not as impressed as I am with seeing Nintendo games in HD. Still waiting for that big wow moment, but Second Son looks fantastic and I like playing it. I'm just saying that it doesn't blow me so hard that I can't go back and enjoy the Wii U just as much as a "new" system.

I have to agree with what a lot of people are saying. People tend to focus too much on power and graphics. I've seen graphics on all the systems that were amazing. Design has a lot to do with how a game looks not just horsepower. Plus none of that makes a game great. Nintendo wanted a console that came in cheaper then their competitors and I have a feeling we will never see them have hardware inline with the latest Sony and MS offerings.

That being said without the Gamepad they could of had a lot more horse power in the thing.